ADB's Work in Sustainable Transport
Developing Asia will need to invest $1.7 trillion per year until 2030, if the region is to maintain growth, tackle poverty, and respond effectively to climate change. More than 30% of that investment needs to be in transport. Transport is an operational priority for ADB under its Strategy 2030 development framework. ADB will continue to prioritise access as part of a more comprehensive approach that delivers transport systems that are more sustainable and better at meeting the region’s growing needs.
Urban Transport
About 44 million people annually become part of Asia's urban population. While Asia’s cities generate around 80% of the region’s economic growth, urban vehicle numbers are currently doubling every six years, a major source of greenhouse gases and congestion. Many of the region's cities suffer from very high air pollution, with as much as 80% attributable to transport.
To address these challenges, ADB is working with its member countries to develop comprehensive and integrated transport systems in many of Asia’s growing cities. Priority is given to public transport, walkways, cycle paths, and efficient traffic management systems.
![Urban transport](https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/page/649126/images/urban-transport.jpg)
Climate Change
In 2006, Asia accounted for 19% of global transport CO2 emissions. By 2030 that share will rise to 31%. ADB is supporting transport investment that reduces energy consumption and promote the shift to zero emission transport systems. This includes partnering with the public sector, privately, or through public–private partnerships.
ADB is also mainstreaming climate adaptation into its transport operations. This includes ensuring engineering specifications, master planning, maintenance and contract scheduling all take into account climate adaptation measures. Rises in sea level, changes in permafrost and precipitation, and storms, floods, and droughts are all becoming more common in Asia and the Pacific. These climatic changes all impact on the design and construction of roads, railways and other transport infrastructure. To address these challenges, ADB is currently developing improved analytical tools to systematically integrate adaptation measures into its transport operations.
![Climate Change](https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/page/649126/images/climate-change.jpg)
Cross-Border Transport and Logistics
Transport has a critical role to play in regional economic integration. ADB will continue to prioritise lending for regional transport infrastructure that makes trade between countries quicker and more efficient. The economic benefits of better cross-border transport have been enormous and include the expansion of new industries and special industrial zones along regional road corridors. Seamless regional transport networks also require simplified border formalities and customs processes. ADB works with member countries in these areas, as well as ensuring national cross-border procedures, operations, and documents adhere to international standards.
![Green Cities](https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/page/649126/images/cross-border-transport.jpg)
Social Sustainability
Of an estimated 1.18 million annual deaths due to road accidents globally, 60% occur in Asia and the Pacific. ADB is increasing the scale, quality, and duration of its support for road safety. This includes support for a comprehensive safe-system approach for.
To help achieve the overarching goal of poverty reduction, ADB’s transport work strives to include poor communities in project planning and implementation, as well as safeguarding their lives and livelihoods. Protecting communities from dangers such as HIV/AIDS and human trafficking is also mainstreamed in ADB’s transport project work. The social objective is to make transport accessible and safe for all, including women, the elderly, the youth, vulnerable groups, and minorities.
![Social sustainability](https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/page/649126/images/social-sustainability.jpg)
Asian Transport Outlook
The ATO is an open data resource that creates an institutionalized process for transport data and policy information collection, analysis and documentation. The ATO collects, organizes, and shares data on the transport sector in 51 countries using more than 450 indicators.
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Operational Priorities
Strategy 2030 sets seven operational priorities, each having its own operational plan. The operational plans contribute to ADB’s vision to achieve prosperity, inclusion, resilience, and sustainability, and are closely aligned with Strategy 2030 principles and approaches.